Guess what got fully funded?
The Sex Worker Billboard fundraiser-sweet! I’m so excited about this project. I want to see billboards like this all over the US. Hey, a girl can dream right?
Did you donate? You might be eligible for free swag. From SWAAY’s Twitter:
“Free stickers! $100+ from an adult provider? Free trial of Safe Office.”
I was tempted to go with the Safe Office trial but don’t think I’d use it. (I’m curious about it though so if a reader goes for that send me an email review and I’ll post it.) I’m looking forward to posting the stickers!
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:11 PM CDT
No Comments »
I blogged about the Sex Worker Billboard last month but forgot to pledge myself. D’oh! I remembered today, panicked and was relieved to find I didn’t miss the deadline. I pledged my amount but the goal amount hasn’t been met yet. So far $5,950 has been raised of the $7,300 goal.
It’s getting there but there’s only three days left to go. Can you pledge some cash their way? You can do that here.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:57 PM CDT
No Comments »
From Epic Step:
SWAAY’s Sex Work Definition Billboard
“SWAAY’s mission is simple: to grow the American sex workers’ rights movement through real public outreach and providing accessible information about sex work to general audiences. Through our educational web site, we aim to draw in people who are new to sex workers’ rights issues and help them understand what sex workers do and who we are, give them information about how to be respectful allies and ethical customers, and motivate them to support sex workers in changing the bad laws and social stigmas that affect our lives.
In response to increasing pressures from anti-sex worker campaigns this summer, SWAAY would like our friends and allies to help us put up what would be the first sex workers’ rights billboard in America. We’re starting with answering the first question: what is sex work? (Note: you will not be billed at the time you pledge, but at the end of the 30 day fundraising period if the campaign is successful.)”
I love this billboard idea. Let’s make this happen!
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:47 PM CDT
No Comments »
Jennifer is an escort working in New Mexico. She graciously agreed to be interviewed about the recent prostitution bust in Albuquerque. The David Flory she refers to is the man accused of running the Southwest Companions website and other charges.
How did you find out about the Albuquerque bust?
Texts and messages started flooding in immediately. Everyone who heard contacted me pretty quick.
Friends sent me links to different stories.
How has your escort business been affected?
It has been devastated and I guess that was their goal. The business completely died immediately after the story broke. Only a very few long time clients are still in contact right now, and half of them weren’t associated with SWC at all.
What’s the vibe in the escort community right now?
I know very little because I haven’t had much communication with anyone. I have no idea who I can trust and who I can’t so I’ve been very cautious. One of my friends took down her website like I did. Another one that I know of at least changed her phone number, although I have no idea how that would help.
How have the clients been reacting to the bust?
Well, the ones I have spoken with have looked for reassurances that they’re still safe with me and are pretty saddened by the loss of the New Mexico community as a whole. No one understands why resources are being wasted like this on our industry, which we view as a “victimless crime” when there is so much serious crime out there that involves violence and theft and destruction.
How does this bust affect escorts communicating with each other and with clients?
Well as I’ve said, there is very little communication now, which creates a very dangerous environment for all of us. This “prostitution ring” was really a website designed for open communication and safety, and of course a little free advertising. It was the place we could discuss clients and verify with each other who was honest and good and who was freaky, violent or a rip off artist. The same goes for the men. They knew which girls were not only talented, but also who was drugged out or known to be a thief. We could discuss who played unsafely and who had good reputations for practicing safe sex. All that is gone now, and we’re all back to playing blind so to speak.
How will these arrests affect safety practices amongst escorts?
When we see sad circumstances of young girls being pimped and controlled and mistreated, and then even more horrific stories like the West Mesa Murders, it creates a feeling that “something should be done”. The saddest part is that Southwest Companions was created exactly for that purpose and now it’s gone. They’ve destroyed the community of safety we built to enable us to work independently.
I would beg women to just hang on through this tough time, work to build back trust among us, and continue to communicate with each other. Don’t turn to the streets or the truck stops or to pimps for protection. Don’t let feelings of desperation or despair make you reckless. Stay strong, stay clean, stay smart.
What are your opinions of the media coverage?
Well it was definitely the hot button story for a few days. The writing was pretty skewed in the direction of making David seem evil. Mostly, it was pretty much just regurgitated repetition, thankfully (in this case) no one really does serious investigative reporting anymore. It was easy for me to see that not much is known about how our industry really works.
Several women were accused of being prostitutes in the media before being found guilty of it. Have you heard how these women have been affected? What do you think about the media doing this?
Well, I have to defend the media on this one. The women that they accused of being prostitutes had full web sites claiming to be talented escorts, containing pictures and detailed descriptions of what they would do and how they would pleasure someone during a date and had their hourly rates posted. It’s pretty hard at that point to quibble over who might be a what.
The Dateline special portrayed the ABQ police as wanting to help New Mexico prostitutes (ex the West Mesa Murders) and yet the police are busting women and men in the ABQ area. Do you think this bust will negatively affect future progress on the case?
Omg, I can’t even imagine! I’m afraid of more escorts moving to the streets after losing their main internet business. I know that by destroying trust and communication avenues the only willing participants with police are going to be girls who are being threatened by the police because of their minor children or drugs. How reliable will those be? By arresting the decent paying clients it’s only going to create a desperation that may drive girls to be more reckless with which Johns they go with, leaving them wide open to freaks and killers.
What actions would you like to see the sex worker activist community doing about this bust?
I’m not sure what can be done. We need to rebuild a forum for referencing safe people, places, and practices.
What can sex worker supporters do to help escorts?
It mainly depends on voting for the right people and ideas, especially on local levels. We need to put pressure on our governments to put the money and resources into the projects that are really important.
Prostitution busts are often portrayed as necessary to get women out of the escort business. Do you think women quit the business and get “socially accepted” jobs because of busts like this?
I don’t know. Two women I know well already have regular jobs and I think that’s really common. One is a teacher who is divorced with two children; she got into the business when she was facing foreclosure on her house. The other has been working a job, going to school and still works in the business to stay afloat. I’m disabled and unable to work a normal job. I’m in the business so I can afford my doctors and medications. My medications alone run about $1,200.00 a month. I’ve been on the waiting list for state medical care for over 3 years now.
What are your opinions on governments and societies telling consenting adults what they can and can’t do with their time, bodies and money?
Oh I could go on forever about how wrong the system is. I think most of the ridiculous laws were brought about through good intentions of creating an environment of protection for it’s citizens but hundreds of years worth of history has proven that it doesn’t work. People are not better people because they live under thick layers of blanket laws that don’t take individual circumstances into account.
Any other thoughts on the bust that you’d like to share?
I’d like to give my personal opinion on David Flory, as someone who knew him and worked with him. Although we, the local working girls of New Mexico, would get frustrated with him for encouraging so many outside girls to travel to New Mexico for work, he wasn’t a bad guy. He took over the site to keep it from getting lost and falling apart. He recognized the need for service that the site provided and he was dedicated to keeping the hobby fun and safe for everybody. He never pressured or forced or intimidated or threatened or “pimped” or “managed” anyone. His biggest error was trying to encourage out of state girls to visit. In his mind, and the minds of the other men that were arrested, it was about increasing the variety of girls to choose from.
Posted by Vixen as Interviews, Sex Workers at 10:10 PM CDT
1 Comment »
From Melissa Gira’s Tumblr:
Hype, Hustle, Harm: Why Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and the DNA Foundation Need To Stand Down
“Hype. First, terminology. “Sex slavery” is a hot issue, and a non-issue. I refuse to use the term “sex slavery,” because all of the people, practices and conditions that the term “sex slavery” has been applied to vary so greatly. It’s a huge mistake to label absolutely everyone involved in commercial sex as a “sex slave.” Even when people are coerced into selling or trading sex, it is not clear that calling forced labor or rape a form of “slavery” is accurate or beneficial. By using very emotional terms like “slavery,” paired with images of young girls — and usually girls of color — campaigns against “sex slavery” play on stereotypes, fears, and melodrama in order to gain public support. Anyone who faces force, fraud, or coercion in the sex trade does not benefit from having their whole lives reduced to “slavery,” “trafficking,” or “exploitation.” People in the sex trade are not slaves in need of rescue. They do not need saviors, no matter how well-intentioned. They need power and control over their own lives.”
Preach it Melissa! I agree with her 100%. I also wonder what Kutcher’s and Moore’s real reasons for promoting this campaign.
The first time I saw Kutcher’s “Real men don’t buy girls” ad I thought well of course they don’t. Real men rent adult women’s time. Melissa is spot on-labeling all sex work as sex slavery is a huge mistake. I’m a sex worker and am certainly not a sex slave.
—
While researching the recent prostitution bust in New Mexico I came across a website devoted to the Long Island Serial Killer.
There’s a lot on the site-emails people have sent in, a chatroom for people to discuss the case, a profile of the killer, a timeline of the murders and more.
On one hand a site like this could stir up unhelpful rumors about the case. It’s even possible the killer himself could send false flag information to a site like this. Doubtful yes but still possible. But the site keeps the murders current. The more the murders can be kept in the news and in the public’s mind the better I think. Maybe the West Mesa Murders should have a similar site?
—
Recently New York and Rhode Island took two different paths for gay marriage.
From the Advocate:
New York says”I Do”
“In a historic vote with far-reaching implications, the New York State Senate passed the marriage equality bill Friday, making New York the sixth and most populous state in addition to Washington, D.C., to offer civil marriage for same-sex couples.
The 33-29 vote, including four Republicans, came at the end of the legislative session and capped a dramatic week in Albany, where loud protests for and against the bill, many based in religious belief, filled the hallways outside the Senate chamber and the majority conference room at the state capitol. New York became the first state with a Republican-controlled legislative body to pass a marriage equality bill, following passage multiple times in the Democratic-controlled state Assembly since 2007. ”
Yes, yes and YES!
Also from the Advocate:
R.I. Gov Signs Civil Unions Law
“Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee Saturday signed into law a controversial civil unions bill that failed to please many gay activists, who had hoped for marriage rights instead and objected to the bill’s broad exemptions for religious institutions.
Chafee, an independent who supports marriage equality, said at the signing that he sympathized with the criticism of the civil unions bill, but he also said it “brings tangible rights and benefits to thousands of Rhode Islanders,” the Associated Press reports.”
A frustrating compromise but still it’s progress.
—
From San Francisco Gate:
US Airways let man wearing women’s panties fly
“Six days before a college football player was arrested at San Francisco International Airport in a dispute that began because he tried to board a US Airways jet with sagging pants, a man who was wearing little but women’s undergarments was allowed to fly the airline, a US Airways spokeswoman conceded Tuesday.
(snip)
A photo of the scantily clad man was provided to The Chronicle by Jill Tarlow, a passenger on the June 9 flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Phoenix. Tarlow said that other passengers had complained to airline workers before the plane boarded, but that employees had ignored those complaints.”
This news is a bit old but I got several emails asking me to blog about it. I’m so curious about this man. Is he a brave crossdresser? If so then I say-you go girl! The lipstick, necklace and pose suggest crossdressing.
On the other hand I wonder if this guy is fucking with the TSA. Just think if he went through the pat down line. How much would that freak the TSA agent out? I love that idea. Really I’m a fan of either scenario.
But shame on the people who are complaining. What’s more offensive? A guy wearing feminine clothing in public or the government legally allowing molestations of adults and children at airports?
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:35 PM CDT
No Comments »
From E Online:
It’s Over! Supreme Court Smacks Down Anna Nicole Smith Estate’s Claim to Late Hubby’s Fortune
“The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling Thursday denying the descendants of the ex-Playboy Playmate the $89 million-plus judgment previously awarded to her from late oil baron husband J. Howard Marshall’s estate.
(snip)
In a 5 to 4 vote, the justices sided with the Marshall clan which claimed that Smith was entitled to not one penny of Marshall’s $1.6 billion fortune. The verdict caps a 15-year legal battle that began in 1996, when the blonde bombshell sued her stepson Pierce Marshall for half his father’s millions, claiming the elder Marshall promised to leave her $300 million.”
—
I know, I know-she got pretty wacky near the end of her life. But I still stand by my conviction that Anna Nicole earned some of that $1.6 billion fortune. All of it? No. But she still deserved a portion.
This judgement seals the deal for her sainthood. Remember, traditional saints often suffered greatly in their mortal lives before they were elevated to sainthood. Anna Nicole suffered many hardships and lost her fortune thus she is the Matron Saint of Golddiggers.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 9:54 PM CDT
No Comments »
From the NY Post:
Upper West Side prof ran hooker Web site: cops
“This physics professor was a little too interested in human anatomy.
A college teacher from the Upper West Side known as a nerdy scientist and doting grandfather had a shocking second life — running a New Mexico-based prostitution ring that sold high-priced hookers to randy rednecks, police said yesterday.
David Flory, 68, of Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey — a specialist in quantum theory and its relation to astronomy — will need more than an advanced degree to beat the 40 felony counts of promoting prostitution that landed him in an Albuquerque jail cell on $100,000 bail.
(snip)
Flory’s high-security “Southwest Companions” had an impressive client list of about 1,400 johns, whom he hooked up with a stable of 200 cybersluts. They included Phoenix hooker Andrea Moorehead, who offered a $1,400 date that promises “two hours out/two hours in,” police said.”
One thing you can’t see in the above snippet is the words in the url to the story. The phrase “master of the tarts” is in the permalink. Not that I expect high journalism from the NY Post but still that phrase is so bad.
What really pisses me off is several stories called “Andrea Moorehead” a hooker. Not an accused hooker, not accused of prostitution but a hooker. Some may say this is a minor point but I don’t think so. I haven’t come across anything that says Moorehead has been proven guilty of prostitution. She hasn’t had her day in court. Any yet many news stories that I read today go ahead and try to slut shame her with the hooker label. So far all the stories I’ve seen about the two men arrested have made sure to include “accused” or “alleged” while talking about them. This story and many others also lead with a sexy picture of a woman that was part of the Southwest Companions website. So tasteless-using a picture like that because sex sells while condemning prostitution.
If you scroll to the bottom of the story you’ll see some good comments. The very first one is from Annie Sprinkle herself! She says “Sex workers and academics are a wonderful complimentary blend.” Right on sister!
—
From the Albuquerque Journal:
BREAKING: Prostitution Probe Expands To Ex-UNM President
“Albuquerque police said this afternoon that former University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia’s alleged role in a prostitution ring was to go out and solicit new “talent.”
They said Garcia, 71, was an alleged member of the ring’s “Hunt Club,” in charge of soliciting women for the business.
Police said they don’t believe Garcia’s motive was to make money but rather to provide a safe place for prostitution without risk of arrest.
Garcia has been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $35,000 cash or surety bond on charges of promoting prostitution, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, MDC records show.”
I almost blogged about this bust last night. But it was late and the post was only half done so I decided to put it off. When I picked it up today I found the above story. Wow, I didn’t expect a former college president to be involved. This story has so many twists.
—
From KOB:
Former online prostitution website owner arrested
“A second arrest was made in the case of David Flory, the New Jersey professor arrested in Albuquerque for running an online prostitution ring.
A woman who may have owned the website before Flory is now facing charges.
(snip)
She is charged with intimidation of a witness and accused of harassing a woman who may have helped police take down David Flory.”
She allegedly made threats on a website that was known to be infiltrated by the police? If this is true then what the hell was she thinking? Surely police are monitoring the site even more since this story hit the media.
—
One thing I haven’t been seeing mention of is the West Mesa Murders. I blogged about them here and here. The murders now have their own Wiki page.
The West Mesa Murders are still unsolved and the killer could still be alive and free somewhere. The NM police have repeatedly asked prostitutes to volunteer any information they may have. But in the light of this prostitution bust what person would? What prostitute could trust the NM police to not arrest her even if she had useful information? I worry this bust and the publicity around it could hurt the West Mesa investigation; that makes me angry and frustrated with our justice system.
The police has said they care about these dead women and want to bring the killer to justice. Don’t they see how such a bust could hurt the investigation?
And are they really helping the living prostitutes? No, they want to arrest the living ones and lock them away for daring to make a living with their bodies. How many women, and men, are going to lose business over this? Will their work bounce back in time to pay their rent and other bills?
Why are the dead women in need of justice while living prostitutes need to be punished and/or changed into “acceptable” citizens? When will prostitutes get the respect and justice they deserve whether they are alive or dead?
And when will we finally decriminalize prostitution? It’s 2011-shouldn’t women have full control of what goes in and out of their bodies by now?
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:11 PM CDT
No Comments »
From MSNBC:
Escorts complain Utah law makes acting sexy illegal
“Two escort services have filed a federal lawsuit to halt a Utah solicitation law they fear could lead to the arrest of strippers or escorts who are simply acting sexy.
Utah defines solicitation as a person agreeing to sex in exchange for money. A new law that went into effect this month broadened the definition to include any person who indicates through lewd acts, such as exposing or touching themselves, that they intend to exchange sex for money.”
When I first heard about this story I was sure it was an Onion article. Sounds like Utah needs a Slut Walk to me!
—
From YouTube:
Tropes vs. Women
“This is the first of a six part series created for Bitch Magazine: http://bitchmagazine.org/post/tropes-vs-women-1-the-manic-pixie-dream-girl
Tropes vs. Women explores the reoccurring themes and representations of women in Hollywood films and TV shows.
The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a cute, bubbly, young (usually white) woman who has recently entered the life of our brooding hero to teach him how to loosen up and enjoy life. While that might sound all well and good for the man, this trope leaves women as simply there to support the star on his journey of self discovery with no real life of her own.”
I just found this YouTube channel and totally dig it!
—
From the LA Times blog:
EGYPT: General admits protesters subjected to ‘virginity tests’
“A senior Egyptian general told CNN Tuesday that officials performed “virginity checks” on women arrested during the uprising that led to former President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, the first time the authorities have admitted they performed such tests during the revolution.
The tests were first reported by the human rights group Amnesty International, weeks after a March 9 protest in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in which female demonstrators were allegedly beaten, strip-searched, threatened with prostitution charges and forced to submit to procedures that supposedly determined whether they were virgins.
At the time, Maj. Amr Imam said 17 women had been arrested but denied they had been tortured or had their virginity tested.
On Tuesday, a senior general who asked not to be identified admitted to CNN that military officials conducted virginity tests — and he defended them.”
This was another headline I mistook for an Onion story at first. Virginity checks-really?!
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 10:18 PM CDT
No Comments »
Man, I take a few days off blogging and a big story hits. Lots of online ink has been spilled over this news. Here’s some that caught my attention:
Blog title borrowed from The Blog of Pro-Porn Activism. Speaking of that blog, I was trying to pick a specific post to link to but really just go read the last several. There’s a lot of good coverage. Main site here.
—
From Trve West Coast Fiction:
The Condom Debate (As I See It)
“Most adult industry professionals have by now heard about the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) increasing efforts to mandate condom use in all US-based pornographic productions. Given that the majority of US-based porn is produced in California, efforts have consisted of filing complaints with Cal-OSHA against production companies for failing to adhere to the “same section of state workplace safety law that requires nurses to wear protective gear to spare them exposure to blood-borne and fluid-borne illnesses.” “One of the complaints filed by AHF in September has resulted in Hustler/LFP being fined more than $14,000 for violating condom regulations, and Forsaken Productions cited for more than $12,000 in violations.”
(snip)
Basically, AHF and Cal-OSHA are shutting down our medical facilities, and The Free Speech Coalition is attempting to help facilitate our testing practices.
So while AHF claims to not have an anti-porn stance, I along with many other industry professionals, question their motives.
The Free Speech Coalition may also have ulterior/financial motives, but at least they’re willing to work with us in a way that does not jeopardize our livelihood.”
I totally question the AHF motives. Personally, I think they just want to shut down the porn industry and this is the most viable way they’ve found to do it. They’re pretending it’s for our “safety” but I call bullshit on that line. But it’s not just them. Organization such as the Pink Cross claim to help us “poor, abused sex workers” when really they’re just trying to brainwash us into believing their religious anti-sex rhetoric.
—
From Xbiz:
FSC Outlines Goals of New Performer Health Program
“The Free Speech Coalition on Thursday gave an overview of its new health program called Adult Production Health and Safety Services (APHSS) during a meeting of adult industry stakeholders.
The goal of the program is to provide reliable STD testing and treatment protocols through a system that is sensitive to the needs of its users. It has been created to fill the gap left by the closure of AIM earlier this month.”
I’m a proud member of Free Speech Coalition and you can be one too. Click here to join.
—
Several sites have been linking to Nina Hartley’s blog entry about the HIV scare from a couple years ago. It’s just as relevant now as it was today. Here’s my favorite part:
“I know it sounds harsh, but it’s not porn’s job to set a good example to the viewing public. It’s an entertainment medium like anything else out of Hollywood, and mainstream entertainment is not held up as needing somehow to set a good example. It’s a shame that our country does such a piss-poor job of educating its young people so that they’re driven to view porn to try to get a clue about sex. Except when a movie is expressly done as education-the Guides, Tristan Taormino’s movies, etc., their job is to arouse and entertain, period.
I hate it when those who are made uncomfortable by sex or porn project their issues onto our business.”
Preach it Nina!
—
From AVN:
Cal/OSHA Moving Closer To New Mandatory Condom Rules
“The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health’s Senior Safety Engineer Deborah Gold today released what is described as “a draft provided solely for the purposes of facilitating discussion at the June 7, 2011 meeting” of the Cal/OSHA Subcommittee on Control Measures—but if this is actually the starting point for the discussion, the adult movie and internet industry is already in deep trouble.”
The above link has more examples of what’s in this draft. Important reading.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:49 AM CDT
No Comments »
From Tits and Sass:
Army of Me: Sex Worker Self Defense
On the West Coast, the Oakland-based self defense collective Girl Army has been teaching sliding-scale classes to women for over 15 years, including some workshops specifically for sex workers. Melisa Spence— Girl Army instructor, St. James Infirmary employee and sex worker ally—weighs in on the importance of basic self defense, and offers her own perspective on the New York Initiative.
(snip)
What do you suggest men and non-sex workers can do to be good allies to us, especially during such a scary situation as what’s going on in New York right now?
Know that the sex worker knows more than anyone else does about how to take care of themself and survive. Share your skills and resources without defining the sex worker’s experience for them or judging the choices they are making. Many people have risky jobs, and do not have to deal with people telling them to quit their jobs because there is the potential for harm.”
Girl Army sounds awesome. I love the point about many people having risky jobs. Yes yes yes!
—
While we’re on the topic of the NY murders, Audacia Ray has a great post over on Red Umbrella Project:
Protect, Don’t Prosecute: Amnesty for Long Island Sex Workers!
“In the week leading up to December 17, 2010 – the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers – the remains of four women who were killed while doing sex work were discovered on a beach in Long Island. Over the past two weeks, the remains of six more bodies have been found in the same area. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer has requested that anyone involved in the sex industry who may have information about the disappearance of colleagues come forward and share this information with the police. But there remains a rather large barrier: prostitution is criminalized, and sex workers have no guarantee that we will be protected from prosecution if we step forward. Therefore, we are calling for amnesty for all prostitution related offenses in Suffolk County until the killer is apprehended.
If you are a sex worker or an ally of sex workers, please contact the office of the Suffolk County Police Commissioner and District Attorney and make this request. The Police Commissioner has been speaking publicly about this issue, but the DA has the ultimate authority to grant amnesty. We especially need people who live in the New York City / Long Island area, especially Suffolk county, to make calls and send emails. In your request, you can feel free to personalize with information about your experiences or feelings about these cases.”
I hope this idea catches on. Giving amnesty could help immensely in this case.
—
From Business Insider:
IMF Chief Arrested In New York For Allegedly Forcing Hotel Maid To Give Him Oral Sex
“Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the IMF, was arrested in New York on allegations that he forced or attempted to force a maid at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan to perform oral sex on him.
The New York Post was first to break the news that the IMF chief was hauled off an Air France flight two minutes before it was due to take off, and taken into custody by the NYPD.”
The New York Post also speculates that he was trying to flee the country in their story.
You’d think someone in his class of wealth and power would travel with sexual companions. I know I would.
—
Found via Bound, Not Gagged:
Sex Crimes In New Orleans, Separate And Unequal
“In their neighborhoods, they are sometimes taunted with dirty looks and jeers. Their pictures hang on the walls of local community centers where their children and grandchildren play. And their names and addresses are listed in newspapers and mailed out on postcards to everyone in the neighborhood.
(snip)
They aren’t child molesters or pedophiles. Most are poor, hard-luck black women in New Orleans who agreed to exchange oral or anal sex for money. In doing so they violated the latest version of Louisiana’s 206-year-old Crime Against Nature law, which carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and registration as a sex offender.
Opponents of the law say it is discriminatory and targets poor women and the gay and transgendered community who engage in what they call “survival sex.” In March, the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine anonymous plaintiffs against the state, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and a host of state agencies, calling the law unconstitutional.”
I also blogged about this situation here. I’m glad to see it getting more coverage and I’m very happy to hear of this lawsuit.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 10:23 PM CDT
No Comments »
From Hobo Stripper:
Dirty Girls Zine!
“We did it! The zine is beautiful with lots of artwork and great stories from Lusty Day, Audacia Ray, Davka, Kitty Stryker, Furry Girl, and much much more! 36 pages of awesome!
We’re keeping this free for everybody, but it turns out color copies are expensive so we really appreciate donations. If you want a copy email dirty girl zine at gmail dot com and either include your address and we’ll mail you one or if you’d like an electronic copy you can download it from here: dirtygirlzine-s (if you distribute a bunch let us know please! Also, if you want to print them, you probably want this file instead hi-res dirtygirlzine ). If you’d like to donate we would really appreciate it, and it will all go to printing, mailing, and good sex worker causes. To donate, paypal hobostripper at gmail dot com.”
I got my copy of Dirty Girls Zine recently. It’s good! The zine has that retro look I love-different fonts, xeroxed pics, stapled together. The cover especially rocks this vibe with the cut out and pasted on letters look. My favorite part was 25 Ways To Make Love To The Earth by Elizabeth M. Stephens and Annie M. Sprinkle.
You can get your own version from the link above.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:05 PM CDT
No Comments »
From Raw Story:
Police link 8 more murders to US serial killer case
“Police said Tuesday they have identified eight more women they believe may have been murdered by a serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles for years known as the “Grim Sleeper.”
(snip)
Franklin already is accused of killing 10 women in south Los Angeles over more than 20 years, most of them prostitutes. Franklin, who was arrested in his home in Los Angeles on July 7, 2007 has pleaded not guilty in the killings of the 10 women.”
Let’s hope this case gets resolved soon so the families and friends can heal and justice can be served.
—
From AOL News:
Teacher Resigns After Student Finds Out About Her Porn Star Past
“It’s the history lesson one Missouri teacher hoped she would never have to cover.
St. Louis science teacher Tera Myers stepped down Friday after a student confronted her about her past working as an actress in X-rated films.
The 38-year-old Parkway North High School educator — who starred in pornographic videos in the 1990s under the name Rikki Andersin — has been placed on administrative leave, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
She will be paid through the rest of the school year but will not teach classes or return to her post next year.”
This is such an upsetting story! Her past is her past. It’s not like she was showing the students clips from her old videos. And where are all the anti-porn protesters? Don’t they advocate women leave the industry and get “respectable” jobs?! They should be supporting her and fighting for her job back. Myers should not have had to step down.
—
From The Globe and Mail:
Women walk the talk after officer’s offending ‘slut’ remarks
“The trio of 20-something women had never been to a demonstration before. They don’t consider themselves political. They look more suited for an H&M sale than a quasi-feminist uprising.
But when Melissa Dolson, her sister Amanda and Amy Sherwood, heard about Toronto Police Constable Michael Sanguinetti’s comment to a York University class – that women who don’t want to be sexually assaulted should “avoid dressing like sluts” – it stirred them in a way that other headlines rarely do.
And that’s how the three friends ended up on Toronto’s College Street on Sunday, all wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the logo of the SlutWalk – “Because We’ve Had Enough”– and railing against the police and that particular comment. The demonstration, which started at Queen’s Park and ended in front of police headquarters, featured much outrage, lots of skin, and all walks of life, including activists, Goths, native protesters, artists and a good smattering of men.”
This story also has a video of the protest. I also found another video here.
—
From Sex Worker Film & Arts Festival
“The San Francisco Sex Workers Film and Arts Festival was established in 1998 to provide a forum for the accomplishments of sex worker film and video makers and to screen works about sex workers and the sex industries from around the world. Since then, we have expanded to become a vibrant venue for performances, workshops, visual arts, political organizing, skills sharing and various other events. The Sex Worker Festival provides an opportunity to recognize and honor prostitutes, dancers, porn performers and other sex workers, who have historically been a dynamic part of arts communities. We encourage diverse participation and diverse perspectives.”
This looks so cool!
—
From Barnard:
Scholar and Feminist Online
“S&F Online, a triannual, multimedia, peer-reviewed, online-only journal of feminist theories and women’s movements, provides public access to the Barnard Center for Research on Women’s most innovative programming by providing written transcripts, audio and visual recordings, and links to relevant intellectual and social action networks. The journal builds on these programs by publishing related scholarship and other applicable resources. A forum for scholars, activists, and artists whose work articulates the ever-evolving role of feminism in struggles for social justice, S&F Online brings you the latest in cutting-edge theory and practice.”
There’s a lot to read on this site. My favorite piece was Women in the Tattoo Subculture. Thanks to Mandy for sending me this.
—
From Alternet:
How 19th Century Prostitutes Were Among the Freest, Wealthiest, Most Educated Women of Their Time
“Russell’s new ‘Renegade History of the United States’ recounts how prostitutes won virtually all the freedoms that were denied to women but are now taken for granted.
In the nineteenth century, a woman who owned property, made high wages, had sex outside of marriage, performed or received oral sex, used birth control, consorted with men of other races, danced, drank, or walked alone in public, wore makeup, perfume, or stylish clothes — and was not ashamed — was probably a whore.”
I found this article very interesting. I’m a big fan of alternative histories. The history of prostitution would be an excellent book! This Renegade History one looks good.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:27 PM CDT
1 Comment »
From Tits And Sass:
“Tits and Sass is a group blog run by sex workers who saw a void when it came to witty commentary on the public image of our industry. The ideas promoted about us in the public eye have an impact on the realities of our lives as sex workers every bit as strong as the law, so we’re not letting any more dead hooker or stripper bones jokes pass by without comment.
We come from different backgrounds and locations, work as strippers, porn performers, pro-dommes, prostitutes, and have a love of ripping apart stereotypes. This is our space for calling out pop culture fails, celebrating sex worker culture, and talking shop.
Email us at info@titsandsass.com with links, tips, gossip, news stories, praise, and gift card.”
This already looks like a good blog. I’m looking forward to seeing it develop.
Posted by Vixen as Sex Workers at 7:47 PM CDT
No Comments »
March 3rd was International Sex Worker Rights Day. I’ve been buried in art projects lately and completely forgot to post about it. Naughty sex worker-I know!
Still it’s an important day so here’s some info.
From SWOP:
SWOP-NORCAL: Sex Workers Rights Issues Into the 21st Century
“SWOP-USA is organized to support the rights and address conditions for some of the most marginalized members of our society: women, transgender people and others who work in the sex industries. Many in our communities are greatly affected by poverty, prejudices and incarceration. We are further disenfranchised through racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and economic oppression. The issues below are of great concern to our members and our communities.
Sex Workers are Part the Community
Whether you see us or not are everywhere. We are sons, daughters, siblings, cousins, spouses and parents. We play an important role in our society and make valuable contributions to our communities and to our families. Our health and safety is a valuable asset to our country. It is in the best interest of all that sex workers enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as other workers and business people.
Sex Workers Fight Against HIV
The Report of the Commission on AIDS in Asia noted that sex workers are part of the solution to preventing the spread of HIV. This year, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon called for an end to discrimination against sex workers noting that prevention is only available to sex workers in countries with laws that protect them. Counterproductive policies must stop, such as condom use are evidence in prostitution cases or the US “Anti-Prostitution Pledge” as a condition for receiving USAID funding. There is much to be gained by working with sex worker and public health organizations to define best practices.
Sex Workers Are Part the Solution
Sex workers and their allies around the world have been in the forefront of the struggle against human trafficking, working together to address force, coercion and other abuses in the sex industry. Sex work done consensually by adults is distinctly different from human trafficking. The conflation of these concepts inhibits our role in contributing solutions to human trafficking and other abuses in our industry. There is a great deal of expertise from our communities defining safe work environments, identifying abusive situations and establishing a culturally appropriate community-based response to these problems.
Decriminalize Prostitution!
Prop K, the San Francisco decriminalization ballot initiative secured 41% of the vote. There is a great deal of support in California for sex worker rights and decriminalization
No more stings! Stop the corruption! Stop the entrapment of prostitutes and their customers!
No more raids! Stop the deportations!
Violence Against Sex Workers Is Not Acceptable
Violence against us is not only tolerated, but even expected by society. Gary Leon Ridgway, the Green River Killer, murdered more than 60 women over a 21-year period with impunity. When he was finally apprehended he was quoted as saying: “I thought I could get away with killing hookers because nobody cares about them… I was doing the cops a favor by cleaning the trash up off the street.” It is clear that labeling sex workers as criminals puts us at odds with law enforcement who should be protecting us and it sends a message to society that sex workers are expendable. Sex workers should not be criminals and violence against us should be classified as hate crime.”
Some history of today can be found here. Village Voice interviewed Sarah Jenny Bleviss co-founder of SWOP in the post It’s International Sex Worker Rights Day: Free the Condoms! And Phoebe’s Story: Why We Need International Sex Workers Rights Day is a good blog post on the day.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 1:30 PM CST
No Comments »
